Israeli tanks and snipers on Gaza border ahead of new Palestinian demonstrations

GAZA, (Patria) - The Israeli army deployed tanks and snipers along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip today in anticipation of a new, third round of mass Palestinian demonstrations, Al Jazeera reports.

Israeli media claim that Palestinians have prepared firebombs and that is why today's demonstrations were named the "Molotov Day".

However, demonstration organizers reject these claims and say they plan a non-violent protest.

Demonstrations called the "March of Return" began on March 30 and are announced to last for six weeks, until May 15, Israel's Independence Day, which Palestinians call Nakba (Catastrophe). Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians left their homes in the war for the establishment of the Jewish state in 1948.

In the current demonstrations, 34 Palestinians have been killed and more than a thousand wounded by live ammunition.

Israel claims that the Hamas movement, which rules Gaza, is masking attempts at attacks with protests, and adds that it will not allow the border fence to be breached.

Last Friday, more than 20,000 Palestinians protested at the border, and on March 30, there were at least 30,000.

Palestinians are protesting the Israeli blockade, which has lasted for more than ten years, and for the right of return of Palestinian refugees.

Anyone who approaches the fence will be shot

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman warned that anyone who approaches the border fence puts their life in danger.

The White House called on Palestinians to protest peacefully at least 500 meters from the border.

The Israeli army attacked Hamas targets in Gaza several times last week, and Hamas claims that Israel wants to draw it into a war.

At the same time, tension is rising as Israel is on alert due to Iran's threats of retaliation for the attack on a Syrian military base on the night between Sunday and Monday, for which Moscow, Tehran and Damascus have accused Israel.

Israel is also on alert due to a possible US attack on the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the chemical attack in Douma.